ZoMG: Villains 2 Artist Signing and Release

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

Hello everyone!

Villains 2 Vinylmation were released a few days early today at the Disney Store at South Coast Plaza Mall in Costa Mesa, CA in honor of an artist signing event!

I don’t know if you guys know this but, yours truly recently got a job working at the Disney Store in South Coast Plaza (if you are in the area come visit!) I was asked to work this event since I have such extensive Vinylmation knowledge! I obviously said YES! I can’t wait to tell you guys about my day!

I got into work around 9 am and there was a huge line of eager and familiar Vinylmation fans waiting to get their hands on the early release of the Villains 2 blind boxes as well as the LE 9 Inch Combo of Jafar and Genie! Many guests told me they got in line around 7 AM, and actually got to sleep in! (Which we all know is rare with limited releases!) We started ringing customers around 9:30 and got everyone queued up for our event starting at 10:30!

The artists that were on hand at the event today were, Jim Valeri, Gerald Mendez, Enrique Pita and Kyle Jensen! All artists worked on series such as, Villains 1, Villains 2, Robots, and Certain city specific Vinylmation as well as Lion King.

Guests were so excited to meet the artists and get their Vinylmation signed! Sadly around 10:45 we sold out of all Villains 2 Vinylmation, but luckily we had plenty of Lion King and Robots to go around!

The artists seemed to be having such a blast with the fans! I worked line control so I was interacting with each guest before they would enter the signing area! Everyone seemed eager and really excited about the series!

While chatting with guests before the signing began we found out that so far there is, one variant in Villains 2, which is Shere Khan from Jungle Book. The regular Shere Khan has green ears and the variant Shere Khan has flames in his ears! I love this variant. I think that Kyle did an awesome job on these two!

I noticed that Jim took the time to draw little sketches on some guest’s items. On one guests tray he drew Goofy! so on some down time I asked him to draw me something!

I asked him to draw anything he wanted and he chose Tigger! I love it – he is so talented and funny! Thank you for being so great Jim!

After the signing came to an end, Radio Disney who was on hand for the event gave away, one full tray of Vinylmation Villains 2 as well as the LE Jafar & Genie. The lucky winner was a young boy and his brother who were SO excited about the set!

The artists were so excited they even got down on the floor with the winner and helped him open up his blind boxes! How cool is that!

After everyone starting clearing out when the event was over the artists all gathered on the stage to take a photo!

(Okay so I’m obviously not a Vinylmation artist BUT who knows maybe I could point them in the right direction of a Princess set? Just a thought!)

You guys can obviously see that today was a lot of fun and I’m so glad that we had such a great turn out! Fans were excited, the artists were happy and the set turned out AMAZING! Looks even better in person I promise! I can’t wait to go pick some up on Monday October 24th when they are released at the Disney Store!

Don’t forget if you guys couldn’t make it to the event, the Villains 2 series as well as the 9 inch combo will be online starting Monday October 24th!

-Zoe

Villains 2 Shere Khan Variant

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

The normal Shere Khan has green jungle leaves in his ears. This variant is amazing. Shere Khan is on fire. Flames light up his ears and he has an unpleasant look in his eyes.

And check out the back! No, not the Kyle Jensen signature. The tail holding the flaming stick! This is a major turn for variants. No longer are we to look for just minor additions or subtractions or color changes. Love it!!!
Large

Updated: Villains 2 Chaser Revealed

WDWNT on October 23, 2011

Update: Picture of back added. This is one of the best chasers in a very long time.

Villains 2 released at an artist signing in California today. It will be released nation wide on Monday. But if you would like a peak at the chaser, click below…

“The Magic, The Memories, and You!” Holiday?

WDWNT on October 21, 2011

“The Magic, The Memories, and You!” is already getting a makeover after just 11 months, a holiday makeover. Available both during regular park evenings and those where Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is offered, the new show will be holiday themed. Disney currently has the show scheduled to begin performances on November 8th. No other details are available at this time. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.

Park Starz Artist Signing: Thomas Scott & Casey Jones

WDWNT on October 21, 2011

As you know, Park Starz, a brand new look at Vinylmation, was released today at D-Streets. (Check out my review and leave your comments here). Lead artists on the project Thomas Scott and Casey Jones met guests in Orlando today to sign figures from this latest set.

Guests had Casey and Thomas sign various figures and even the tins these figures were blindly packaged in.

The signing took place from 5p-7p and the line wasn’t too long. About 30 people deep at the start of the signing. Wristbands were handed out throughout the day as guest purchased Park Starz to ensure a place in line.

The Ice Gator, with it’s large blank spot on the back of head, seemed to be a popular choice to get signed.

Both Casey and Thomas collaborated on the designs and choice of characters in Park Starz, so no figure had an artist stamped onto the bottom. Some guests had both artists sign a single figure.

Here is Thomas Signing a Blizzard Beach Ice Gator. Guests in line were found trading Park Starz among themselves, trying to secure their favorites. No word yet from Disney on if Park Starz will be officially traded around the parks.

Is this a Hitchhiking Ghost? Nope, just a happy haunt named Cliff with his Park Starz. Myself and Austin (many of you know Austin from the release day lines) took Park Starz around WDW today for a photo shoot. I have to edit the photos and pick the best, but I can’t wait to show you. So here is a sneak peak at a couple photos:

Horizons Butler and Figment
Figment
It’s a Small World

Update On Restaurant Changes Coming To Main Street

WDWNT on October 21, 2011

From Pam Brandon on the Disney Parks Blog:

Carnation Café at Disneyland Resort

We love it when our favorite spots expand, and as Erin posted in August, there are some big changes coming for Main Street, U.S.A., in 2012. Here’s what you can look for:

The Blue Ribbon Bakery is moving and getting a new name: Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, from the “Mary Poppins” song, “Oh, it’s a jolly holiday with Mary …” The bakery moves to the Plaza Pavilion (at the top of Main Street, U.S.A.) with plans to open in early January. In addition to the bakery and espresso offerings, the new menu has some delicious new tastes, such as an Angus roast beef salad with blue cheese; a Caprese sandwich with tomatoes, Buffalo mozzarella, basil, butter lettuce and garlic aioli on toasted focaccia bread; and a classic pastrami reuben on rye.

Carnation Café is expanding with more indoor seating – the Blue Ribbon Bakery move is part of that expansion plan, as Carnation Café spreads out to take over the space and offer more air-conditioned seating. Work starts in January, and they’ll have a new menu that will showcase longtime favorites (and we’ve heard it includes milkshakes).

Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor is getting a little makeover, too, and adding root beer, Coca-Cola and orange cream floats to the menu. And the block makeover wraps up at Refreshment Corner – construction starts early next year. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for details.

Magic Kingdom Testing FASTPASS for Parades

WDWNT on October 21, 2011

You read correctly: FASTPASS service will be tested for the Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade over the next few weeks. Don’t worry, you won’t need a FASTPASS to see the parade, it really just lets you into a prime viewing area somewhere in the Hub in front of Cinderella Castle. The location will change a few times over the test period as Disney looks to see where it would be best situated. Also changing will be the number of guests per day Disney hands the Fastpasses to, just to see what the right or wrong number of guests to let in might be.

The parade FASTPASS will be distributed starting early in the day at the Magic Kingdom by Cast Members presenting them as “Magical Moments” (Think Year of a Million Dreams prizes). The return time on the FASTPASS will be for between 10-30 minutes prior to the parade reaching the hub, around a 20 minute window.

If there was a more popular new parade or a nighttime parade running, you can see how this service may be quite valuable. Guests would have more time to enjoy the park while their viewing space is reserved. They would then only have to show up a few minutes before the to claim their space along the street. It will be very interesting to see how this works out…

The test is currently scheduled to take place October 23rd through November 12. Stay tuned to WDW News Today for more information as it becomes available.

WDWNT: The Magazine Issue 8 Released

WDWNT on October 20, 2011

Walt Disney World is tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney … and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.

– Roy O. Disney, October 25, 1971

With those words, Roy O. Disney dedicated the park that would become the center-piece of the world’s most popular, and most unique, vacation resort.  After 40 years of joy, inspiration, and new knowledge, Walt Disney World continues to bring us together and is truly, our “happy place.”

In honor of Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary, we are proud to release issue 8 of WDWNT: The Magazine.  In this issue, we look back at the 40 biggest moments in Walt Disney World History, as well as launch a new series of articles looking back at the attractions of the past in the Magic Kingdom.  In a special feature, we also have the reflections of some of our staff about what Walt Disney World has meant to them individually.  We also have a report on the Project Florida Vinylmation offerings, while our Eating WDW column provides a photo essay looking back at 40 years of Disney dining.

As usual, we also have a few of our reoccurring columns in this issue.  Armchair Imagineering takes a slightly different tack to look at the work of legendary Imagineer Yale Gracey.  The Time I looks at the runDisney event in Disneyland.  Ask Dave Smith answers a few more of your questions in this issue.

We hope that you will find the 72 pages of content within both entertaining and educational.  If you have any suggestions or feedback, we are always happy to hear from our readers.  Just send an email to WDWNTthemagazine@wdwnt.com and share your thoughts.

As a reminder, the magazine is available in digital form from our website (http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com) or in printed form from MagCloud (http://www.magcloud.com).

WDWNT: The Magazine Issue 8 Released

WDWNT on October 20, 2011

Walt Disney World is a tribute to the philosophy and life of Walter Elias Disney … and to the talents, the dedication, and the loyalty of the entire Disney organization that made Walt Disney’s dream come true. May Walt Disney World bring Joy and Inspiration and New Knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.

– Roy O. Disney, October 25, 1971

With those words, Roy O. Disney dedicated the park that would become the center-piece of the world’s most popular, and most unique, vacation resort.  After 40 years of joy, inspiration, and new knowledge, Walt Disney World continues to bring us together and is truly, our “happy place.”

In honor of Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary, we are proud to release issue 8 of WDWNT: The Magazine.  In this issue, we look back at the 40 biggest moments in Walt Disney World History, as well as launch a new series of articles looking back at the attractions of the past in the Magic Kingdom.  In a special feature, we also have the reflections of some of our staff about what Walt Disney World has meant to them individually.  We also have a report on the Project Florida Vinylmation offerings, while our Eating WDW column provides a photo essay looking back at 40 years of Disney dining.

As usual, we also have a few of our reoccurring columns in this issue.  Armchair Imagineering takes a slightly different tack to look at the work of legendary Imagineer Yale Gracey.  The Time I looks at the runDisney event in Disneyland.  Ask Dave Smith answers a few more of your questions in this issue.

We hope that you will find the 72 pages of content within both entertaining and educational.  If you have any suggestions or feedback, we are always happy to hear from our readers.  Just send an email to WDWNTthemagazine@wdwnt.com and share your thoughts.

As a reminder, the magazine is available in digital form from our website (http://www.wdwntthemagazine.com) or in printed form from MagCloud (http://www.magcloud.com).